{"menuItems":[{"label":"Finder's best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2023","anchorName":"#finder-s-best-stock-trading-platforms-and-apps-in-canada-for-2023"},{"label":"1. Interactive Brokers \u2013 Best overall trading platform and app","anchorName":"#1"},{"label":"2. Wealthsimple \u2013 Best for trading Canadian stocks","anchorName":"#2"},{"label":"3. RBC Direct Investing \u2013 Best trading features","anchorName":"#3"},{"label":"4. Scotia iTRADE \u2013 Best platform for commodity trading","anchorName":"#4"},{"label":"5. CIBC Investor's Edge \u2013 Best trading platform for beginner traders","anchorName":"#5"},{"label":"6. National Bank Direct Brokerage \u2013 Best trading platform by a big bank","anchorName":"#6"},{"label":"7. Questrade \u2013 Best trading platform for low cost with perks","anchorName":"#7"},{"label":"8. Qtrade Direct Investing \u2013 Best for a well-rounded trading experience","anchorName":"#8"},{"label":"9. BMO Investorline \u2013 Best platform for an easy-to-use interface","anchorName":"#9"},{"label":"10. MogoTrade \u2013 Best new trading app","anchorName":"#10"},{"label":"How to choose the best stock trading app","anchorName":"#how-to-choose-the-best-stock-trading-app"},{"label":"Which is the best free stock trading app in Canada?","anchorName":"#which-is-the-best-free-stock-trading-app-in-canada"},{"label":"What are the pros and cons of stock trading apps?","anchorName":"#what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-stock-trading-apps"},{"label":"Canadians consider stocks a smart investment option in 2023","anchorName":"#cst"},{"label":"Bottom line","anchorName":"#bottom-line"},{"label":"Frequently asked questions","anchorName":"#frequently-asked-questions"}]}
Choosing the right stock trading platform is crucial for any investor. The best stock trading platforms are quick and easy to use, have low or no fees and have all the features you need to trade with confidence. But the best platform for you will vary depending on factors such as what you want to trade, how often and whether you’re a beginner or experienced investor.
To help you compare your options, we’ve crunched the numbers to pick the ten best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada.
Our selection of top picks is based on the same criteria as our annual Stock Trading Platform Awards. This is updated yearly to reflect changes in the market.
"Best for" picks are those we've evaluated to be best for specific product features or categories – you can read our full methodology here. If we show a "Promoted" pick, it's been chosen from among our commercial partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive.
This isn't an exhaustive list of all the trading platforms out there. What's best for you depends on your own investing strategy, budget and financial goals.
Finder’s best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2023
Methodology: How we chose Canada’s best stock trading platforms
Our first five picks are based on the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022. To choose the winners, our data team assessed 630 data points across 18 brokers to find the best trading platforms for Canadian investors. The remaining five picks are based on other available options in the Canadian market that offer features and platforms that warrant adding them to the best list.
In the Best Mobile Trading App category, we considered the following factors:
App features, such as real-time quotes, research tools, user-friendliness and app store ratings
Fees for using the app, including brokerage, deposit, withdrawal, currency conversion, account and inactivity fees
The securities available to trade and the order types offered
The fact that Interactive Brokers promises to take your investing to the next level signals the type of investors the platform wants to attract. In short, it is well suited to those with plenty of experience in online trading and with plenty of money to trade. It offers access to stock markets in 33 different countries and 68 different order types, including stocks, options, currencies and bonds – far more than other brokerage platforms we looked at.
Interactive Brokers has a tiered pricing structure when it comes to commissions. Basically, the more you trade the cheaper it becomes. There is a minimum commission of $1 per trade and a maximum of 0.5% of the total trade value. The Interactive Brokers web portal has a detailed educational section, with webinars, videos and even a Traders' Academy. It also offers analytical tools to help you make better trading decisions. The offering is so detailed it may be daunting for beginners. Interactive Brokers even lets you borrow money to buy shares, something a beginning investor should be very wary about doing.
Interactive Brokers was the winner of the Overall, US Stocks, International Stock Trading, Day Trading, Long-term Investor, Low-cost Broker and Mobile Trading App awards in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Pros
Go with this platform if you are an experienced investor who wants low commission on FX, reams of information and fancy analytical tools to help you trade.
Wealthsimple is all about low fees. It does not charge any commissions on trades. And you can make as many trades as you like, free of charge. There are no annual fees or account minimums. It is one of the lowest-cost trading options available to Canadian investors. Wealthsimple stacks up favourably against the other platforms we looked at when it comes to educational resources and tools, with various savings calculators, articles and investor masterclass videos to teach you the basics.
If there is a catch, it's that you are limited in the types of securities you can trade, as Wealthsimple offers mostly stocks and ETFs. You can open a non-registered account, RRSP or TFSA. There is a mobile and web platform, and the application received some of the highest user ratings among platforms we looked at.
Wealthsimple was the winner of the Beginners and Canadian Stocks awards in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to trade stocks without any commission fees.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want to use leverage to trade or you want to trade more complex securities like options.
Signup Offer
Get $25 when you open a Wealthsimple account and fund at least $150.
Trade the way you want with RBC Direct Investing, which offers a robust online investing platform, trading dashboard and mobile app. Get real-time quotes for stocks and ETFs, including Level 2 quotes for stocks and ETFs trading on the TSX and TSXV. Use RBC's powerful screener powered by Refinitiv to filter securities based on performance, Morningstar rating or any other criteria you set.
Active traders save on commissions, and margin trading is available with competitive interest rates. Not every platform offers a demo account for you to practice trading without using real money, but RBC Direct Investing does. Plus, you can easily view all your RBC account balances and transfer funds to and from your investment account with a single sign-on.
RBC Direct Investing was the winner of the Trading Features award in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want access to many research tools and ways to trade.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want fee-free trades or a platform geared towards beginners.
Account Fee
$0 if conditions met, otherwise $25/quarter
Account Types
RRSP, RESP, Personal
Available Asset Types
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs
ETF Transaction Cost
$9.95
Option Fee
$6.95 to $9.95 (+$1.25 per contract)
Stock Trading Fee
$9.95
Account Fee
$100
Min. Deposit
$0
RBC Mobile app store reviews
Google Play app reviews
2.9/5 stars based on over 37,000 reviews
Apple App Store app reviews
4.8/5 stars based on over 200,000 reviews
4. Scotia iTRADE – Best platform for commodity trading
Scotiabank is one of Canada's Big Six banks. Commissions start at $9.99 per trade, although this is lowered to $4.99 per trade if you make more than 150 trades per quarter. It charges an annual fee of $100 on accounts with less than a $25,000 balance. Here's a cool thing. Scotia iTrade offers a so-called practice account with a fictional portfolio of $100,000 that lets you use the platform and get your feet wet with different kinds of trades using what is essentially play money. Mobile users weren't impressed with the UI or the overall speed of the experience.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to be able to trade a variety of assets and are less concerned about trading commissions.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want a quality mobile experience.
CIBC Investor's Edge is an online brokerage that lets you trade a variety of different investment types through its online trading platform. You'll be able to put your money into registered and non-registered accounts, depending on your preferences. The platform is user-friendly and provides a number of resources to help you get acquainted with using the platform. It also gives you access to plenty of research tools to help you make informed decisions about your investments.
Pros
Go with this platform if you are a beginner who wants the comfort of a well-established financial brand.
National Bank is recognized for charging no commissions for trading ETFs, stocks and investment funds. They also charge no trading fee on options, however there is a $1.25 charge per contract. Typically big banks charge commissions on trades, so this is a unique offering that makes National Bank stand out. Other perks include no minimum account balance, a wide range of securities to trade, and a large offering of account types that you can open to start trading.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to trade a wider range of securities without any fees.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want socially responsible investment options.
Account Fee
$0 if conditions met, or $100
Account Types
Personal
Available Asset Types
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual Funds, GICs
ETF Transaction Cost
$0
Option Fee
$0 commission + $1.25 per contract
Inactivity Fee
$0
Stock Trading Fee
$0
Account Fee
$100
FX Fee
Varies
Min. Deposit
$0
National Bank Direct Brokerage app store reviews
Google Play app reviews
No reviews
Apple App Store app reviews
3.9/5 stars based on over 170 reviews
7. Questrade – Best trading platform for low cost with perks
Questrade is one of the cheapest places to buy and sell securities online in Canada. Compared to Wealthsimple, it offers a much larger selection of securities you can trade, including options, foreign currencies and commodity futures. Questrade does not charge an annual fee and you don't pay any commissions when you buy ETFs. Other trading fees range between $4.95 and $9.95. Questrade offers both a web platform and a mobile application, though users complained about lag times on the app.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want low fees and the ability to trade a variety of securities through a highly-rated mobile app.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want low fees but you aren't ready to start buying anything other than stocks and ETFs.
Signup Offer
Get $50 in free trades when you fund your account with a minimum of $1,000.
A well-known investment broker, Qtrade Direct Investing offers an easy-to-use online platform and mobile trading platform. With low and competitive commissions, you'll also be able to trade 100 select ETFs commission free. You'll get access to independent research tools and online tutorials designed to help you make more-informed decisions about your investments. One downside is that there's a quarterly fee to maintain your account unless you meet certain requirements.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want competitive commissions and access to educational tools and online tutorials.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you aren't planning to have a minimum of $25,000 in your account or fund it regularly (since you will incur a quarterly fee).
Signup Offer
Get up to $2,000 cashback as a new or existing client. Use promo code CASHBONUS2024. Ends March 4, 2024.
BMO Investorline is not the cheapest, nor the most feature-heavy platform. You'll pay $9.95 per trade and an annual fee if you have less than $15,000 in your account. You can trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, GICs and bonds. There's no minimum account balance required. Users mentioned that the equity search function sometimes did not work properly on the app. BMO Investorline makes its investment research available to users.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want to take advantage of a cash-back welcome offer.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you have less than $15,000 to trade with and don't want to pay an annual fee to maintain your account.
Enjoy commission-free trades and free real-time streaming quotes.
MogoTrade lets you invest in stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for free on your phone. There are no minimum balance requirements and no annual fees, and you can access free real time streaming data to help you determine which investments to make. You'll also get a chance to help replant Canadian forests and save the planet every time you invest. The main drawback is that MogoTrade is still in its rollout phase so many features aren't available and there are limited investment types to choose from.
Pros
Go with this platform if you want an environmentally-friendly way to invest for free with real time streaming data.
Cons
Look elsewhere if you want to trade on a margin or access more complex securities like options and futures.
Signup Offer
Enjoy commission-free trades and free real-time streaming quotes.
The best trading app for you might not be the same as the best choice for someone else. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, you will have your own unique requirements from a trading app. That’s why it’s important to consider the following factors when comparing your options.
Brokerage fees
Some brokers don’t charge any commissions on Canadian stock and ETF trades, but others charge a flat fee of typically $5–$10 per trade. Others charge a fee based on the number of stocks you buy, for example $0.01 per share, so work out how much it’ll cost you to invest.
Other fees
There are a few other fees that may apply, so check the fine print for any:
Subscription fees to access features such as market news, real-time data and expert analysis.
Inactivity fees if you don’t make any trades for a specified period of time.
Minimum balance fees if your account balance is less than a specified minimum
Currency conversion fees if you trade on foreign markets
Ease of use
The best stock trading apps are easy to use right from the moment you sign up. A user-friendly interface is particularly important if you’re a novice investor, so search for an app that offers a simple and intuitive experience. Reading reviews from other users is a great way to work out whether an app is easy to use straight away.
Market access
Do you only want to trade Canadian stocks and ETFs or do you want to invest in US, European, Asian and emerging markets? If you want to trade international stocks, be aware that not all brokers provide access to foreign stock exchanges. Check the list of exchanges you can access and what fees apply to overseas trade.
Tradable assets
Check which securities you can trade from each broker’s app, such as:
Stocks
ETFs
Options
Bonds
Futures
Mutual funds
Forex
Cryptocurrencies
Research and analysis
Find out what sort of research and analysis you can access through the app. For example, you may be able to access in-depth market analysis from the broker’s in-house team or a third-party service, plus be kept up to date with the latest market news.
Minimum investment amount
Check whether the broker has a minimum account balance requirement. Some providers don’t have any minimum limits, but others will charge a monthly fee if your balance is less than a specified amount.
Customer support
If you ever have a problem with a trade or a question about your account, how can you get in touch with your broker’s customer support team? Check the contact methods available and the hours during which the support team is available. An online help center with answers to a range of FAQs is also a useful resource.
Other features
Put together a list of any other key features you want in a trading app, such as:
Advanced charting tools and technical indicators.
Stock screeners that allow you to narrow down your potential investments.
Automated investing with a robo-advisor.
Social trading that allows you to see and copy other people’s trades.
Educational resources to help you learn about trading and how to use all of the app’s features
Other platforms
If you’ll also be placing trades through your broker’s web-based or desktop platform, check out whether those platforms are user-friendly and offer all the key features you need. If there’s a free demo account available, use it to put a platform through its paces with virtual rather than real money.
Is it regulated?
Make sure you only consider brokers that are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), and that the funds you deposit will be covered under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
All of our picks for the best trading app are regulated by IIROC and CIPF, meaning if they go under, your money will be protected up to specified amounts. Some providers also offer 2-factor authentication and high-level encryption of data to keep your account safe.
User reviews
Head to the app store for your smartphone and read reviews from other users. You can also explore customer feedback in places like the Better Business Bureau and Reddit to find out what investors really think about the platform and what issues they run into. Are they happy with the app? Are there any major problems repeatedly mentioned in reviews? Is there a common theme about how the app could be improved?
How to pick the best stock trading platform
The best trading platforms are the ones that offer a combination of low fees, numerous investment options, a modern trading platform and plentiful resources that help you learn and grow as a trader. But at the end of the day, personal preference matters too.
Which is the best free stock trading app in Canada?
Most stock trading apps are free to download, while it’s also free to sign up for an account. But there are fees you need to be aware of when you trade.
The most common fee is the broker’s commission. While some brokers charge $0 commissions on certain assets, many charge a flat fee per trade. And even if an app does advertise fee-free trading, this will typically only apply to a limited selection of assets (such as Canadian stocks and ETFs).
There are other fees to be aware of too. Many (but not all) brokers charge a monthly fee if your account balance doesn’t exceed a minimum limit, while fees and currency conversion costs may apply if you trade foreign stocks and ETFs.
That’s why even if a broker says it offers “$0 commissions” or “no fees”, it’s always important to check the fine print. Compare a range of apps to find the best free stock trading app for you.
Before you download a stock trading app and sign up for an account, make sure you’re aware of the benefits and drawbacks of trading through an app:
Pros
User-friendly. The best stock trading apps in Canada provide a streamlined user experience, making it simple to start building your investment portfolio.
Convenient. Stock trading apps make Canadian and global markets more accessible than ever before. You can buy and sell stocks with just a few taps, and make adjustments to your portfolio on the go.
Feature-packed. The best stock trading apps let you do more than just buy and sell stocks. They make it easy to track the performance of your portfolio, stay up to date with the latest market news and research potential investment opportunities.
Low minimum investment. With many brokers supporting fractional share trading, you don’t necessarily need a big savings balance to start trading.
Cons
You need to understand the risks involved. The best stock trading apps make it quick and easy to invest in the stock market, so you need to take care not to fall into the trap of buying and selling on impulse. Make sure you research any potential investment carefully and understand the risks involved before you trade.
Lack of advanced features. If you’re an experienced investor searching for advanced charting and technical analysis tools, you may prefer to trade using a desktop or web-based platform.
Limited choice on some apps. Some trading apps only provide access to a limited range of tradable assets.
Canadians consider stocks a smart investment option in 2023
According to results from the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q1 (CSTQ1), more than a third (36.18%) of Canadians considered equities to be a smart investment in the first quarter of 2023. This dropped only slightly in the second quarter of 2023 to 27%, according to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q2 (CSTQ2).
Men preferred stocks as an investment option, with 41% considered Q1 2023 a “good time to invest in stocks,” compared to 32% of female investors.(1)
Age also had an impact on an investor’s confidence in stocks as an investment opportunity. The youngest generation, Gen Z (investors up to the age of 24) had the most confidence in stocks as a good investment opportunity in the first quarter of 2023 with 53% believing “now is a good time to invest in stocks,” compared to 42% of millennials, 31% of Gen X and 19% of baby boomers.
In general, almost a third of Canadians investors (31%) held stocks outside of their registered accounts, such a retirement savings fund (RRSP) or Tax-Free Savings Fund Account (TFSA) and almost three quarters (72%) bought or sold stock through an online stock platform or app. This seems logical, given that 29% of respondents in the CSTQ2 stated they had never worked with and had no plans to use the services of a financial advisor.(2)
The results of the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q1 (CSTQ1) were collected through an online Pollfish survey conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. In the survey, 1,846 Canadians from across the country were asked about their current banking services and their intentions and motivations for new banking products. The estimated margin of error for the survey is +/- 3%, 19 out of 20 times.
The results of the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q2 (CSTQ2) were collected through an online Pollfish survey conducted between April 27 to 29, 2023. In the survey, 1,011 Canadians from across the country were asked about their current banking services and their intentions and motivations for new banking products. The estimated margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.08%, 19 out of 20 times.
Bottom line
There are many things to consider when choosing a stock trading platform or app to buy and sell stocks and other securities. The right trading platform for you will match your needs, so if on-the-go trading is your number 1 concern, you’ll probably end up choosing a different app to someone who wants to focus on commodity trading.
The key thing to remember is to do your research and compare a range of trading platforms first. Start with our range of trading platform reviews to get an idea of what’s available in Canada and the key features you need to consider.
Frequently asked questions
There are over 15 apps you can choose from to buy stocks in Canada. Some are operated by major banks, while others are run by online brokers. Make sure you compare a range of stock trading apps to find one that suits your needs.
In the 2022 Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards, International Brokers was named the Best Overall Broker. However, the awards also featured categories such as the Best for International Trading, Best for Long-term Investors and Best for Beginners, so make sure you choose a platform that suits your trading knowledge and investment goals.
Wealthsimple won the award for Best Stock Trading Platform for Beginners in the 2022 Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards. However, there was no category for the best stock trading app for beginners in the awards. If you’re searching for a beginner-friendly trading app, look for an app with a clean user interface, no account minimums, no account fees, $0 commissions and educational resources to help you boost your trading knowledge.
You can download stock trading apps from the relevant app store for your smartphone’s operating system. If you’re on Apple’s iOS, you’ll need to head to the App Store. If you’re an Android user, you’ll find the apps you need at Google Play.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.
Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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